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Swallowed Toothpick. Feeling Discomfort In Lower Throat Area. Feeling Painful. Should I See A Doctor?

Posted on Thu, 26 Sep 2013

Question: i swallowed a toothpick last night. 54 yrs. very healthy. It's 3:51 pm now. I've been feeling something in the lower throat but has moved to the area just under the callor bone and top of the ribs. Tried throwing up, drinking milk and other thick fluids last night. Did the same this morning. I ate a few things adn have been drinking a ton of water to help it go down. Don't know if the feeling is my imagination playing me, but I do feel something in that area whenever I swallow. No sharp or painful feeling. Just a feeling like when you get food stuck. Shall I "wait and see?" The ER has a 4 hour wait. I don't want to go just to have the doctor say "lets wait and see." Do you recommend anything I can eat/drink to help it move down?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ER is the only best option

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Tooth pick since has a sharp end can be very XXXXXXX as it can cause perforations.

I strongly recommend you to rush to ER or any near by doctor to get relevant tests if necessary an endoscopy to remove the stick while it is still in the stomach. If it enters the intestines it would become impossible to access or remove it.

There is nothing you could do at home to get it out.

Please do rush to the ER now.

Take care

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar